Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I Need to Change my Attitude.

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.”

~Maya Angelou

Change has been on my mind a lot lately.  Change is constant.  You can't escape change, and unfortunately some people don't deal with change as well as others.  I'm typically a go with the flow kinda girl.  I don't usually "sweat the small stuff" and I usually consider myself easy-going, but in the midst of all of the change that we are going through, I find myself wound tighter than a drum.

Tomorrow, we are packing the house and moving for the 2nd time in nine months.  It wasn't that big of a deal the last time we moved, but this time around it's complicated by Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner.  It's complicated by the fact that our lease isn't up until February and our current house is not rented out yet.  It's complicated by a handful of projects at the new house that haven't been completed yet.  It's complicated by the fact that our appliances haven't been delivered yet.  There are a hundred things I am stressing over and I need to just let it all go....

I need to change my attitude.  I need to embrace the change.

And, then there have been the unnecessary stressors I've been putting on myself over Camdyn's behavior at school.  The truth is, she's a good kid.  She has her act together when she wants to, like during her first ballet class on Saturday, and at the Build-a-Bear party two weeks ago.  She can be a handful, but she can also be an absolute doll.  I see both sides.  I know my child.  I need to let it all go.

I need to change my attitude.

Then, there are friendships that have changed over time and some of those changes weigh heavy on my heart.  There are days when I curse my job and the fact that I'm sitting in a cubicle while ALL (yes ALL) of my friends are SAHMs and are getting together for playdates and mommy-time.  I feel somewhat discluded (not intentionally of course) and I forget that this job provides my family with benefits, a new house, clothes, trips to Disney World, and college funds.  I forget that I like my job.  I forget that I chose this job. 

I need to change my attitude.

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of taking pictures for a dear friend.  She needed just one good photo for her Xmas card, and I thought...I can probably handle that.  It was the first time I picked up my camera since Halloween, and it felt good to spend 45 minutes snapping away.  I lost myself through my lens.  I let all the stresses of the move and life in general drift away.  I existed in the moment and it felt good.

My dear friend asked me to take one picture of the girls together.  She wants one to frame and hang in Little Miss' bedroom to remind her of Camdyn.  Next year, they will set off to different elementary schools, different Kindergarten classrooms, and their lives will take them down different paths. 

When Hubs saw this photo he said it makes him want to cry.  His words.  Honest. 

Their whole worlds will change next year. 

Hand-in-hand they are on the same path.  Cam with her favorite dinosaur tucked beneath her arm.  They are the best of friends.  Their friendship knows no parameters, it knows no stresses or misconceptions.  They fight, they argue, they refuse to hug, then they turn around and play together again.  I wish adult friendships had the same ease and security.  I wish "play nicely" was the mantra for everyone, all the time. 

I need to change my attitude.

So, I'm going to change the way I'm thinking about the things that are stressing me out.  I'm going to take a deep breath, realize that everything will fall in to place, and that everything will be exactly the way it should be.  God is in control and I need to let him do the worrying for me.

I am changing my attitude.

16 comments:

Ruth said...

Hey Carol... thank you for this post... it gets me thinking...and i need to change my attitude too..:)

love the pic... so cute!!

Anne said...

I love Maya Angelou! And yes, sometimes changing our attitude is all we need to feel less stressed and enjoy what we have more. Life is an ever evolving process and this became so clear to me when I had children because their lives change SO fast. One day they're a helpless baby in our arms and in a flash they're off to Kindergarten. Thanks for reminding me to change my attitude! (:

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

I love, love your post. I feel like I need to change my attitude too. I hate change. I always have. I know that that God is in control, but I worry anyway. I really need to work on that.
I am so glad that you picked up your camera :-) I love your photos. This one is so sweet and sad at the same time.

Jennifer said...

I hope just writing this post helps you :) Seems like we have the same type of personality. I was always more laid back too. But the reality of it is, life happens. Kids happen. Work happens. Things were not as simple as they were years ago. You have ALOT going on now and hopefully in the next few weeks things will fall into place. When I have days or weeks like this, I just try to focus on our health and trying to just be happy. Life can all change in an instant and we need to live for today :) Love the pic of Cam and her friend. So innocent. And as far as being a SAHM, when you are in this position, there are plenty of days I wish I were working :)

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

I absolutely love this post! It seems like just writing this has helped you overcome the stress! I'm hoping you have an easy move.

Cooking Up Faith said...

I am always in need of reflecting on my attitude. I loves Charles Swindoll's quote on attitude:

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes.

The picture is beautiful too!

cooperl788 said...

In my bathroom cabinet, I have the following quote: "To be happy, don't do what you like. Like what you do." I have it there because I am constantly in need of a reminder of how I want to live my life. It can be so hard sometimes to remember that if we stop to look at what we have, we find we're happy and satisfied already - no need to desire what others have.
Camdyn IS a good girl! The picture of her and her friend is so sweet. Good luck with the move!

Chelsea said...

I love, love, love this post. I can totally relate to you right now. It seems as if I have been stressed out and wound up 24/7 for the past few months for some reason. (And I really have no good reason). I, to, need to change my attitude!

http://vandylandmommy.blogspot.com

Stephanie @ dirtandlace.com said...

Great post. I can totally relate.

That is a really sweet picture :)

Unknown said...

Great post Kneedeep! It's so hard though - I know. Somehow some of us think if we worry and stress it will help but we all know it never does. I like your changes, they are all ones I would certainly like to make asap. Hope your Tgiving is stress free and fun. This Tgiving I'll be thankful that I'm with my family for that is indeed something I take for granted.

Caterina said...

Goodness. Two posts in a row and you've made me tear up. *sniffle* But in a good way :)

That picture is breathtaking. And I like this ---> "I wish 'play nicely' was the mantra for everyone, all the time." Because, too often, in adult world, people do not play nice.

Ashley said...

Great post Carol! Just setting your intention to change your attitude makes you on your way! It's easy to get caught up in life's drama and challenges but you are so right, we can change how we react to things! You will handle the move with grace, I can feel it! :) Happy Thanksgiving! p.s. LOVE that picture

Mama Hen said...

Carol this is a great post my friend. I think we all can change our attitudes in same way or another. I know that moving can be very stressful. I moved a lot and it was harder each time. Just think that before you know it you will be in your new home. I want to say thank you for your support. My mom really is in so much pain and it has been so hard for me to see. I appreciate your kind comment. I hope that your family has a great Thanksgiving! The picture is precious!

Mama Hen

LeeAnn said...

Well that post made me cry. Geez! ;-) I love the picture of the girls together and it is so sad that they won't be going to school together. But they can still be best friends...and in fact, they might be better friends if they're not together every single day.

I need to change my attitude also. I'm wound tight lately too. I just wish I knew how to let it all go.

Happy Thanksgiving Carol! I hope you and your family have a wonderful day!

Unknown said...

I bet it was therapeutic just writing that post. It probably felt like a prayer in a way. A prayer for your attitude change. It sounds to me like you have a great attitude! You are inspiring me. I will be thinking of you and your family, especially your sweet Camdyn and her friend.

Mama Hen said...

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Carol! Hang in there my friend, before you know it you will get through this stress. Take a deep breath my friend. Have a great day!

Mama Hen